Daryl Impey wins the 1st stage in the Critérium du Dauphiné ahead of Julian Alaphilippe and Pascal Ackermann. The hilly race of 179 kilometres boils down to a spint, with Impey opening up early and holding on to the line. Michal Kwiatkowski finishes in fifth and retains the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Race report On the Col de Leyrisse the attacks are flying, while Edet, Feillu and Craddock are the first riders over the top with a 1.35 minutes lead before it balloons to 6 minutes.

Edet and Craddock head out together on the first climb of the final circuit. Yet, the peloton is close behind and they are brought back moments after the bell for the last round.

Dylan Teuns strikes on the last climb, but Alaphilippe counter-attacks with Kwiatkowski on his wheel before it all comes together.

Just before the flamme rouge Nibali speeds up, also to no avail. So the race comes down to a sprint. Impey opens up with such conviction and power, that nobody can jump to his wheel, let alone overhaul him. He bests Julian Alaphilippe and Patrick Ackermann, while Michal Kwiatkowski finishes fifth to retain the leader’s jersey.